What are the differences between adherent cells and suspension cells?

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Accepted Answer

While adherent cells and suspension cells refer to types of cell culture techniques, there are some stark differences between the two methods.

Suspension Cells
Adherent Cells

Refers to cells that are grown suspended (i.e., free-floating) in a liquid medium either as single cells or as free-floating clumps.
Refers to cells that are grown in a single layer attached to a solid surface, such as a flask or petri dish supplemented with a culture medium

Suitable for cell lines that are non-adhesive and adapted to suspension cells
Suitable for most cell types and primary cultures

Anchorage-independent culture
Anchorage dependent culture

It does not require a tissue culture treated vessel
Requires a tissue culture treated vessel

Requires agitation during growth
Does not require agitation during growth

Easier to passage
Requires periodic passaging

Cells do not require enzymatic or mechanical dissociation
Cells can be dissociated enzymatically or mechanically

Growth is limited by cell density
Growth is limited by surface area

High-yielding
Low-yielding

Used for bulk protein production and batch harvesting
Used in cytology and for harvesting products continuously

Suspension Cells	Adherent Cells
Refers to cells that are grown suspended (i.e., free-floating) in a liquid medium either as single cells or as free-floating clumps.	Refers to cells that are grown in a single layer attached to a solid surface, such as a flask or petri dish supplemented with a culture medium
Suitable for cell lines that are non-adhesive and adapted to suspension cells	Suitable for most cell types and primary cultures
Anchorage-independent culture	Anchorage dependent culture
It does not require a tissue culture treated vessel	Requires a tissue culture treated vessel
Requires agitation during growth	Does not require agitation during growth
Easier to passage	Requires periodic passaging
Cells do not require enzymatic or mechanical dissociation	Cells can be dissociated enzymatically or mechanically
Growth is limited by cell density	Growth is limited by surface area
High-yielding	Low-yielding
Used for bulk protein production and batch harvesting	Used in cytology and for harvesting products continuously

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